New-look Grizzlies outlast Pelicans

Against the same team that embarrassed the old-look Grizzlies in a marquee game less than three weeks before, the new-look Grizzlies scored revenge on Saturday night.

With three of their five new players contributing key minutes, Memphis defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 9990 in its first home game at Fedexforum without Marc Gasol.

A Jaren Jackson Jr. four-point play with 4:26 left put Memphis up 91-83, forcing a New Orleans timeout.

He hit another 3-pointer with 2:35 left to give the Grizzlies a 94-85 lead.

If the Grizzlies are going to finish ahead of eight other teams in the NBA standings and achieve the stated goal of conveying a protected first-round pick to the Celtics this season, winning games like Saturday’s contest are a must.

The Pelicans (25-32) are likely one of the teams the Grizzlies (23-34) will need to pass in the effort to avoid picking in the top eight of this year’s draft.

Up next: The Grizzlies host the Spurs on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the third of four meetings. The series is tied 1-1. Tv/radio: Fox Sports FM

Reach Grizzlies beat writer David Cobb at d avid.cobb@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @Davidwcobb. Southeast/92.9